‘Help change the negative image of Islam’

KUALA LUMPUR: The country’s ulama, Syariah judges and intellectuals have been urged to help change the negative image of Islam as a religion which is seen by some as being all about punishment.

Prof Mohammad Hashim Kamali (pic), the CEO of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies Malaysia (IAIS), said cases such as last month’s caning of two women who pleaded guilty to attempting same-sex relations in Terengganu have put Islam in the limelight of public scrutiny.

“It is as if Islam is concerned with punishment more than anything else. But that is not really what Islam is all about.

“When you look at the Quran, the most prominent aspects of our belief are so closely associated with rahmah (compassion),” Mohammad Hashim said in his welcoming remarks at the roundtable discussion here titled: ‘Philosophy and procedures of Syariah criminal punishments towards achieving the aim of Compassion For All (Rahmatan Lil Alamin).’

“Of course Islam stands for justice but it is rahmah that moves the value structure of Islam.

“When you apply justice without compassion it is dry literalism, and I am very happy, it is heartening that we now see a fresh focus on the compassionate voice of Islam.

“This is what has been missing not just in Malaysia but internationally,” he said.

Mohammad Hashim said that while Islam is known by some in the general public as if it is all about punishment, he was encouraged that there was now an opportunity to correct the wrong perception.

“I hope the ulama and the judges and the intellectuals of Malaysia will consider this as part of their new struggle for Islam, to make Islam known for what it stands, to change the negative image of Islam,” he said.

Related

It is not just Islam my friend, it is also Christians and others. We get so ingrained in our religious beliefs and dogma, we forget our true purpose, to discover ourselves. We are all of Allah or God, here to learn the ways of love and wisdom and to be of service to others. One of the most inspiring songs for me was when Israelis, Muslims, Jews and Christians sang this song together. https://elquanah.com/2018/07/10/3000-israelis-muslims-jews-and-christians-sing-together/

I agree 100 percent that all Islamic Ulama or scholars should strive to improve the Islamic image in public by leaving all Islamic laws, 15 century ago.

Unfortunately most Ulama do not want to teform God’s law, they believe that God laws cannot be changed or reformed for ever.

Only few sects of Islam agree to change old Islamic laws.
Ismaili Islam has already changed old Islamic laws as well as Progressive Muslim.

As long as KSA do not want to change Islamic laws, I do not believe that we will be able to lovely or beautiful image Islam in our time. Probabky it will take 1000 years to see a beautiful image of Islam. Maybe!

I urge all Muslim should listen this song from Israel, very touching— make you feel touch.!